@33MHz they have adopted a lot of the mechanics of more recent games for encouraging people to play more, but I'm not sure how much benefit they actually provide. it seems kinda half-hearted.
@igmp_join I liked the hats as a kind of postmodern, ironic, irreverant thing. I felt like the massive influx of weapons got out of hand. No longer clear clean rock-paper-scissors mechanics.
@33MHz while I think the weapon mechanic went weird on the surface, I think it actually coalesced into more clear tactics than it was before. unfortunately, I don't think the practical tactics line up with the achievement system.